Enforcing drug prohibition has proven itself to be far more costly to society than illicit drugs have ever been. It is time for the people of the world to stand together and bring the senseless war on drugs to an end.

Several years ago, I put forth a proposal for a Global Voting System which would run on PDA’s and home computers to create a decentralized polling system, where anyone could put forth new issues and everyone can vote on them.

The idea was to create alternative democratic channels outside of the current, oft-corrupt political system. While my GVS idea didn’t pick up much traction (perhaps it’s just ahead of its time), others have trying to find ways to harness the voice of the world’s people.

One of these organizations – Avaaz – has been making tremendous headway towards leveraging global opinions into political action.

The law would have applied the death penalty for homosexuality. But thanks to Avaaz and millions of engaged people from around the world, the bill has been shelved.

Now, members of Avaaz have set their sights on the most senseless war of all time – the war on drugs – and they’re taking the fight all the way to the United Nations. When signatures surpass the one million mark, it will be personally delivered to world leaders by the global commission.

Awesome! Avaaz is showing what people power can really do. When the collective voice of humankind is finally heeded, a more just global civilization will emerge.

In 1977, Jimmy Carter spoke to congress regarding the ridiculously flawed war on drugs, saying:

“Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use.”

Heeding Carter’s words, Delaware Governor Jack Markell has just finalized a small step towards regaining sanity, signing a bill into law that allows the production, distribution and use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Awesome news for Delawareans, for the pro-Cannabis movement, and for rational people everywhere.

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time for you to face the facts. The war on drugs is an utter failure. But don’t just take my word for it.

Some of England’s most prominent public figures have recently decried drug prohibition as an “expensive catastrophe for individuals and communities,” and are imploring the use of scientific evidence when forming drug policies.

Spain’s ex-PM wants to legalize all drugs to help deflate organized crime syndicates, which have become “one of the most serious threats to security that the world faces.”

This sentiment is echoed by the individuals with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, who don’t believe current methods are effective, writing “drug abuse and gang violence flourish in a drug prohibition environment, just as they did during alcohol prohibition.”

Still not convinced? Then maybe you’ll believe the former President of Mexico, who is calling for the legalization of all drugs, saying “Prohibition didn’t work in the Garden of Eden. Adam ate the apple… I don’t want to say that legalizing means that drugs are good. They are not good but bad for your health, and you shouldn’t take them. But ultimately, this responsibility is with citizens.”

And if you’re worried about what might happen if we ended drug prohibition, consider Portugal. They decriminalized all drugs ten years ago and it has been deemed a resounding success. Crime is down, drug use has declined, and drug-related pathologies have lowered dramatically.

Clearly, Portugal’s strategy of treatment and rehabilitation should be guiding anti-prohibition debates around the world. But rational thought and empirical evidence will only get us so far.

The war on drugs has been institutionalized because billions have been blown every year for decades. This means millions of law enforcement, jailers, and their support staff, not to mention the countless drug peddlers, all stand to lose their livelihoods if the war on drugs were to end.

On top of this, current drug-related policies are entrenched into global politics, with roots running into organizations like the United Nations, who pressure all its members to enforce drug prohibition.

To counteract such an extensive bureaucracy, which is currently supported by millions from around the world, will take an even larger, more powerful force.

It will take hundreds of millions of informed people from around the world. Those of us who’ve discovered drug prohibition is actually far worse than any drug on earth need to coordinate, cooperate and finally finish the war on drugs.

This is where you come in. You need to stand up for what is right. Get involved in the movement. Do what you can to help convince the rest of the world that it’s time to forever end our draconian drug policies.

Drug prohibition is a scourge on the planet. Not just because it wastes billions of tax payer dollars a year, or because criminals can grow strong off the lucrative black markets, but because the so-called ‘war on drugs’ prevents humankind from fully utilizing the amazing plant known as Cannabis.

It is time to end the war on drugs, just as it is time to end war in general.

On behalf of the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime everywhere, our thanks go to Mike Murphy, Rob Moore and the Harper government for their unfailing support of our business. Few people understand how hard it is to operate a business which depends so much on intimidation, bribery, murder and assassination. Necessary as they are, these practices give us a bad public image and lead to frequent legal problems.

Without drug prohibition, we could not survive. Thanks to prohibition, we enjoy amazingly high profits. Without this financial power, we could not afford competent murderers and effective bribes. Furthermore, prohibition eliminates the possibility of legitimate competitors, who would enjoy significantly lower costs if they existed. We commend Mr. Murphy, Mr. Moore and above all Mr. Harper for maintaining this system and working to strengthen this system.

We particularly appreciate the original version of Bill C-15. The “tough” aspects of the bill do not affect us at all: We can afford excellent lawyers; we can intimidate witnesses; and we could import marijuana if it became too difficult to grow here. What the bill WILL do is attack independent growers of all sizes. We are very happy with this: Any independent grower is a threat to our market share and our profits. By driving these growers out of business, Bill C-15 will cement our market dominance and ensure our wealth for many years to come.